—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 26,1979
16
Hoover’s cattle loss frustrating, controversial
By DIETER KRIEG
BAINBRIDGE Clair Hoover and his
wife are concerned about a problem that
they have on their farm. Some of their cattle
have been dying and nobody seems to know
exactly why. The conditions of the animals
have been diagnosed and it has been
established that the cause of death was a
severe uterine infection. But there are
believed to be underlying causes and that’s
what puzzles the Hoover family.
Although their farm is within the 5-mile
radius of Three Mile Island, both Mr. and
Mrs. Hoover are quick to point out that they
are not blaming their problem on radiation.
Hoover, a dairy farmer, even goes so far as
to say that he was not and still is not anti
nuclear. But he is concerned about the ef
fects Three Mile Island may have had on the
area during its course of operation.
Although Hoover’s alleged loss of 19 head
of cattle (some other authoritative sources
say it was just three head that died) made
the headlines coast-to-coast, Hoover claims
he is not the only one with mysterious
livestock problems. Reports have been
confirmed that several other farmers in
both Lancaster and York Counties are
experiencing nutritional and breeding
problems with their animals. But nobody is
saying much, or pointing accusing fingers.
Hoover, who says he never sought the
publicity that he has received, isn’t sure
what his herd health problem is. Neither are
the investigators at this point.
Hoover does admit, however, that the
thought of radiation affecting his cattle has
crossed his mind. He says he would be the
happiest man in the world to find out that
the problem is something which his own
management would correct.
But just in case his own management isn’t
at fault, then he’s worried about what’s
really going on and if this might also affect
others in the area.
Says Mrs. Hoover:
“The financial losses we have suffered
from losing cattle are disturbing, but what
is really frightening is what this may have
done to our children.”
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Hoover agrees and the couple has con
templated moving away from the farm
Some of Hoover’s advisors have speculated
that the problems would be solved if he
moved away from the area.
Hoover claims that several other farmers
have similar problems but few want to talk
about it, for fear of generating publicity
which would hurt their own marketing
situations, as well as the industry as a
whole.
Hoover and his wife' say they are
thorougly tired of their ordeal - both
emotionally and physically. The loss of
cattle was bad enough. The publicity since
then has been burdensome too. They had 35
reporters come to their farm earlier this
week and correspondents are still inquiring
daily. Newscasters are coming from around
the world. Meanwhile, the Hoovers are
trying to explain their problem and praying
for recovery.
Acknowledging that the publicity from
their farm and similar reports from others
could hurt agricultural marketing, Hoover
says he does not want to give farm products
a negative slant. He opinonizes that such
fears are the underlying cause of why other
fanners with similar problems are reluc
tant to step forward and talk.
The events of recent weeks, including the
handling of the accident on Three Mile
Island, have eroded their confidence in
public officials considerably, noted Mrs.
Hoover. Both say they are not sure whom or
what to believe anymore.
While the Hoovers are having their
problems and there are reports of similar
cases in Lancaster and York Counties,
(although none with the kind of animal loss
as found at Hoover’s dairy farm) some
common and authoritative opinions indicate
that it isn’t likely that Three Mile Island has
anything to do with any of the alleged
livestock problems.
At a meeting in York on Thursday night,
for example, any such notion was quickly
dismissed by farmers with accusations of
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Clair Hoover Says he is not blaming radiation for the problems he's having 01
his farm, located AVz miles from the nuclear facility. He says simply: "We havi
problems, but no answers.” He says he wants the truth.
ir.
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